Aretha Franklin slams server's D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Share this story

In this May 11, 2013 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs during McDonald's Gospelfest 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) - Aretha Franklin has some harsh words for a New York server who showed D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T by telling the Queen of Soul she wasn't allowed to eat her takeout inside the restaurant.

A spokesman for Franklin says the situation unfolded Tuesday at a Johnny Rockets restaurant in Lewiston near Buffalo.

The spokesman says Franklin ordered a hamburger after performing a sold-out show. But he says the server screamed at Franklin, saying she couldn't sit down to eat because she had ordered takeout.

Franklin says in a statement that the restaurant worker was "very rude, unprofessional and nasty."

A Johnny Rockets spokeswoman says the franchise owner is sorry for the actions of "a new and very young employee."

She says the owner has spoken with the employee and has clarified his takeout policies.